Swab construction



OC- 30, 1945 J. c. TRINDL 2,388,095

SWAB CONSTRUCTION Filed May 28, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 30, 1945. J. c. TRINDL SWAB CONSTRUCTION Filed May 28, 1942 Patented Oct. 3 0, 1945 2,388,096 swan coNsTRUcTIoN? John-charlesrrindl, chicago, nl. Applieanon May 28, 1942, seriaiNo; 444,851

` commis.` `(ci. 1'5`-v`2t8)r Myinvention relates to an improved swab ccnstruction and is directed more particularly` to` such a construction whichmay'be used by the housewife in `eithe1` wet or damp condition with? out necessitating the handlingI ofthe svvabhead` throughout the wetting, cleaning and water ex; traction operations;

`An important objectu of the inventionvis to provide a swab body which is made up principally of a multiplicity of strands so disposed upon a rigid backing memberl that they are positioned in predetermined zonesV over'the face of thebacking` member, retain those 'zones over the face of the backing member, and retain those `zones in a controlled manner throughout the soaking of the swab and throughout the use thereof in cleaning and waterextraction operations.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide a construction of the above character in which the pliant strands are` disposed in groups which occupy predetermined zones, certain of these groups providing a matted base for others of the groupLwhereby` each group is compacted. against adjacent groups in such a manner thatl .they may be easily separated after the cleaning operation, each then occupying its predetermined` zone after the separation, to greatly facilitate the quick dryinglof the swab.

`Still another object of the invention isto pro. vide a construction utilizing pliant, fabric strands which are so arranged that the heretofore objection of slopping is avoided and whereby the user can accurately `control the strands to clean a predetermined area or'surface without portions thereof, `particularly the ends, contacting adjaprising rowsr'ofpliant strands held together between str-ips of fabric whicharestitched together i and! through which retaining 4nails are driven,- theopposedendsofthe strands being sodisDOsed i that, they extendr outwardly ofthe lsurface `of theA ,o backing member to lie adjacent one another, each length of outwardly disposed strands being compacted-against the adjacent groupL of strands to provide `a compactedmassover the attachment surface of the backing member.-

In'accordance 'with the general features of my inventionV there 'is provided hereina construc' tion which includes` avrigidbacking member con-- structed to present either a at or aA transversely convex attachment surface (both beingA satisfactory butithe latter being` preferred), a plurality cent surfaces which are not` susceptible of being cleaned by the use of such a device.

Another important object'of the invention is j to provide a swab construction from which the liquid `or fluid may be quickly Vand easily extracted without necessitating any special drainer con-I struction `and without necessitatingthe contact of the hands of the user with dirty-water.

A further object of the invention is` to provide a novel rigid backing member for a swab construction ofthe above characterin which is `in i i of pliant, liquid fabsorbing assemblies protruding from the attachment surface, the protruding portions being compacted one against the other andbeingY ldisposed and retainedv in predetermined zones on the surfacefwhereby-the strands in onezone downotbecome enmeshed or balled with strandsin an adjacent zone and whereby longercentralstrands may be compressed against ad-jacent shorter strands for-liquidextraction `without if becoming entangled with those shorter strands and without being pressedY out of the confines of the backing memberlby which extraction pressure isapplied thereto. r

Many other 1 objects and advantages of my invention' will become apparent from `the following description and "accompanying drawings, in

which:` i l Figure 1- represents afragmentary plan view of astrand unit adaptable to a swab ,construction embodying the features of' my invention. i

Figure2 is a similarview'of still another strand unit embodyingfmy invention. A Figure 3 is a cross-section View taken on the line III-III of Figure 1. i

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line IVf-IV of Figure 1-;

Figures 5 and 6 representtransverse cross-sec; tional views of a swab head embodying one form of my invention. i i

Figure '7 represents a transverse cross-'sectional view embodying a'modied form of my invention. i Figure 8 represents a cross-sectional view showing still anotherV modif-led form of myinvention.

Figure 91is a side elevation, ona reduced scale, of a swab head embodyingv the features of my invention; and i Figure 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a. swab embodying my invention after it has been subjected to water for othercleansing fluid and after it has been used for cleaning purposes and subject to compression for water or iiuid extraction therefrom.

It will be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and may be changed or modied without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

In the f'past`, .inops constructs;dI-from pliant `fabjf ric strandsA have been deemed to necessarily in` clude strands of extremely great length in order that the desired liquid absorption qualities be pro'- vided, in order that a relatively long life be imparted to the mop assembly, and in order that they could be wrung out by hand or by a'mopl wringer mechanism. This found to be neessary in the past because the pliant strands were clamped tightly in a rigid hold'- er having jaw-like elements and when thus clamped, protruded from the jaw-like elements as a relatively thin stack or group of strands. K ItV will be lunderstood that the water orliquid absorption qualities of any cleaner utilizing a fab?v ric material will be proportional to the amount of such material employed in that construction. I have found that if a rigid backing ymember is provided and the strands are secured thereto in accordance with my invention so that they are' tightly compacted, then suiiicient of these strands are provided for imparting the desiredabsorbent qualities to lthe structure. In other words, while in the past, the length of the strands has contributed to the liquid absorption qualities, I have provided a novel swab construction wherein compacted and controlled strands give thisv quality and also present many 'additional advantages.

In the conventional mop structure heretofore used the lengthof the strands is such that their disposition and travel over the area to be cleaned is only generally controlled by the movements of the mop `handle by the user, `and when cleaning' construction was ing the structure shown in Figure 5.

der such circumstances, the excess water is deposited on surfacesother than that which are intended to be cleaned with the result Vthat those surfaces are left in such condition that further cleansing thereof` is necessary if the surface has not been permanently defaced bythe liquid and l dirt applied thereto. Y l

Another detriment attendingv the use ofthe conventional type of mop is that the long strands, in order to have the excess fluid extracted therefrom for damp cleaning must eitherbe'wrung out by the user, which, of course,'involves the contact between the hands and dirty water or requires the usev of complicated rolling or waterextracting'mechanisms' for the drying operation.

Referring to the drawings, particularly lto Fig; ure 5, the rigid body portion of the swab includes a'block member I0 made from wood or the like which may be provided with a handle lreceiving oriiice Il disposed angularly therein. The 'bottom surface I2 of lth'erigid'backing member constitutes an attachment base for the swabbing material and may be made iiat as shown in Figure 6 or rounded as shown in Figure 5. As previously stated, the rounded surface is preferred since it greatly facilitates the extraction of moisture from the device as will be fdescribed presently.

The unit containing the pliant strands may take many different forms. However, in the preferred embodiment they constitute assemblies suchfasgthoseggshown ingjllligurestl, 2,;'35 and 4. In `those Viigiire`s,it willbe :seen that the strands ofabsorbent material such as cotton or the like, are retained in plate-like stacks by means of fabric retaining members I4 which comprise tapelike members between which the strands I3 are held'and'compressed centrally by stitches I5. It will be understood that when the members I4 overlie and underlie the groups of strands I3'and are stitched as at I5 a unitary structure is provided which comprises portions securely attached together which may be readily handled during manufacturing and assembly operations. g Y

Two types of units, ofthe character lof those describedabove are preferably utilizedin mak- The unit shown in Figure 1 has the ends `of the pliant strands sheared so that they protrude in dill'erent lengths from each side of the retaining mem- As will be seen presently, the ends I3a ber I4. Y are so arranged on the rigid back member I0 that they extend over the respective longitudinal edge thereof while the longer ends I3b are disposed in such a manner Ythat they lie adjacent the ends I3a. The unit shown in Figure 2 includes-fthe retaining member I4 and the protruding groupl I face I2 of the block I 0. It will be understood,

of course, that the thickness to which the strands I3 are stacked between the membersA I4 and the length ofthe strands used depends entirely upon the size of the rigid backing members on which they 'are to berstacked, it being preferable, however, that each layer-of .strands4 I3 be sufliceintly thick so that the ends'thereof flare outwardly and laterally a suilicient amount to provide compacting of `the groups of strands one against the other when they areA assembled upon the backing member as shown in Figure 5.

InV the construction shown in Figure 5,. strand units such as that shown Yin Figure l aresecu'red longitudinally of theV surface I2`V and insurface engagementtherewith in the vicinity of the respective longitudinal edges thereof by suitable attachment means such as nails I6. Thus it will be seen that the fabric or tape members I4, together with the strands compressed therebetween by the stitching I5, serve admirably as anchoring means by which Ythe respective units can be securely attached to the, rigid backing member I0. As shown in Figure 5, the` shorter strands I 3a are disposed to extend somewhat beyondthe longitudinal edges of the surface I2, yet not to such a degree that they do not. respond directly to movements-of the backing member Ill, While the opposite ends I 3b are`bent back upon the ends I3a v .to underlie the same and to compress these ends I3a into a compacted unit.` Y Y In the form of my invention shownin Figure 5, the structurelis completed by wedging a strand unit such as that shown in Figure `2 between the upturned ends of the'retaining tapes I4 of the side units. In the same manner thatV the roots of] the various" units are retained inl wedg-A ing engagement;F the outer endsthereof are like wise compacted into" a`l dense arcuate configura-A tion by theflaringo the end portions I3c'of'thef latt'enirnitsjwhcre'aby` those portions are compressedtogether andg onY their outer sides; are compressedagainst'the ends I3b previously described; The central strand unit issecurely retained in this wedg-ing piasition by means of` suitable nails I'I or the like. y

As previously explained, should the strands become knotted orenmeshedfwith one another to too` great a degree the ei'ciency of theA completed stmctureisaiected detrimentally as to thewater retaining qualitiesas wel-lasto the cleaning. and

water extraction characteristics. Thus it is necessary that the various zones of strands be disposed in anorderlyfashion during the manufac-` turing operation and alsobe so secured to the rigid `back-ing member I thatthese zones are retained in an orderly manner during-the clean ing and the liquid extraction operations.

It will be understood that in usingv ai swab such as that shown in Figure4v 5 the strands, there show-n, will become somewhat condensed andcom-y pacted inwardly andupwardly toward the surface I2 as is shown in Figure 10; thus they will present a cleaning surface which possesses dimeri-V sions somewhat similar tothe dimensions of the surface I2.

When thestrandsare `so compacted, it is found that the ends Ha still project from the outer'connnesiof the'surface I2 thus to provide a bumper which prevents injury to furniture and mop boardingA when the swab is being applied toV surfaces adjacent thereto. In this compacted condition the strands IIe which,` asl previouslyexplained, are somewhat longer than the strands .itra.n`cls,`v even; though the'yfhave been wetted, will maintainthe general conguration of thoseshowm; in Figure 5 and thus ifi the backing' member i Il' is pressed against the fiat surface with thesur,A

i face I2 downwardlyiandis theirl rolledbackand forth,` the various strands are compressed one against the other in such a mannerfthat allor the strands will be efrectively squeezedto pro-y vide relativelycompleteextraction of' liquid. there.` from. Figure 9 represents the condition. of the soaked strands as the backingimember I0 is urged downwardly. The strands I3cv have begunto col-- lapse and-fromthis figure itf will' be understood l that ifthe backing member is rockedftransversely the strands I 3c will be compressed'inan orderly fashion against units I3b which will compress strands I3a whichin turn will be fully compressed, by the surface I2. The eiciencyl ofthe result-' ing liquid extraction and' the ease with-which it may be accomplished will `be readily apparent groups I3c, will be compressed against thesuw I3a and I3b, will be compressed so that they are compacted" against one another andr against the ends |31` which in turn are then compressed against the ends I3a; The compression ofeach succeeding groupl or unit prevents the strands `of adjacent groups or units from becoming enmeshed therewith, whereby the entire strand assembly, while it is inthis somewhat' compressed condition, still is so arranged that the various differentl sets of ends are each retained genin-Figure 5.

Furthermore, it will be seen that because erally withinf their predetermined zonesas shown the `adjacency of the loverlying units ofv strands,

, in excessfofthe distance of' the longitudinal edge of the surface 'I2 is consumed by'being disposed in a substantially arcuate path.

In view of the foregoing, the central strands IScfmay-be of such a length that, if'unobstructed, by the overlying units I3b and I3a, they would extendbeyond the upper edges of: side walls Ilia and thus be unavailableI forliquid extraction by pressure exerted on the rigid body member I0.

With such a construction, as will-be seen from Figure J91, `the resulting compressed? mass "of face I2 at the center' thereof while the succeedingly outwardly disposed strands are compressed progressively againsteach other and` against the strands |30l which are in turn compressed against the surface I2 and thesides Illa of the backing member I0 when the latter is rolled back and forth bythe manipulation of a handle iitted into the aperture II. y

It will be understood that in constructions wherein the strands 4become knotted',` enmeshed with onel another or' ba1led, the extraction operationV is very inecient since the mop becomes bumpy and certain portions are protected by these Vbumps andthen` retain liquid throughout the extraction process.v Furthermore, when such enmeshing of the strands occurs, the efilciencyof the cleaning operation is very detrimentally affected. In the present construction, however, it will be seen `thatthe longer: strands I3c, which are highly? important in the cleaning operation and in` maintaining the life of the construction, are maintained in an orderly predetermined arrangement due to the control which is obtained by the canvas orfabric retaining members I4. It is also to be noted that thecomtrol of direction of theu various strands is -enhanced to a great degree by the wedging action which occurs betweenthe various units, For instance, the strands |'3b` of the sidesections are effectively retained in their laterallyy disposed positions adjacent the strands |3a by means? of the compressing action of strands I3c which Vin `turn are wedged between each other and the adjacent set of strands I3b to be retained in their centralposition.

' Swabs constructed in accordancewith myfpresent invention and which have been used forthe normal life of a devicetof this character fand which havel been used under all normal-conditions have been found: to retain, the` various strand zones show-nas in `Figure 51 `and Fig-ure 10.

It is foundl that if a pencil is extended between anyl one set of vstrands :and thenrun longitudinally of the backing member I0, the ,very definite original parting is still clearly `retained and none of the-rstrandshave become :entangled or enmeshed Ywith strands of the adjacent zones.

Furthermore, it is found that 'the strands within each zonev are4 ,free .of ventanglement with one another' due-to the relativev short lengths thereof. `In practice, it has been found that if, after rinsing, the construction shown in Figure 5 Yis rolled as above described against a flat surface or the corner junction of the two flat surfaces totobtain the'desired.waterextraction, and then thebacking member is tappedonone or both of its' ends, that the strands` are? shaken entirely loose from one another, the .zones are clearly defined, and thusvair permitted tocirculate .freely through the' cleaning assembly to Veffectively vandposes desired.

If a swab construction in accordance with my invention is to be'used in particularly heavy work, that Yis, where more abrasive surfaces are to be cleanedV or where higher liquid absorption qualities are desirable, an increased compacting of the strands may be obtained by increasing the number of central zones of long strands indicated at I3c in Figure 5. Such a construction is shown in Figure 6 of the drawings which is similar to Figure 5 except that a plurality of central units such as Ythose shown in Figure 2 is utilized.

It will be noted. that in the constructions fof both Figure 5 and Figure 6 a degree of spacing is shown at the heads of the nails I6 and I1 and betweenthevarious zones. It is found that this condition prevails in a newly manufactured unit which has not yet been subjected to liquid cleansing material. However, after the unit has been soaked it is found that the strands, as previously explained, tend to compact inwardly and upwardly `whereby a solid cleaning agent is presented as shown in Figure 10.

As shown in Figure 6 the surface I2 is formed iiat. Such a surface tends to increase the compacting between the various zones or strands. However, it will be readily understood that in the liquid extraction operation a greater degree ofrocking motion is requiredto effectively extract excess fluid from the strands than is required with the rounded surface such as that shown in Figures 5, 7 and 8. As stated above, swabs of the character here disclosed are often utilized in heavy duty Work -where highly abrasive surfaces such as rough concrete and the like are encountered. Such Asurfaces cause considerably rapid wear of unprotected strands, and to the end that the strands may be protected from excess wear under such conditions, a construction such as that shown in Figure 7 may be utilized.

lIn this 4form of the invention, themembers member I0.

On each sideof the centrallydisposed mermA gaseosa Mainstead of being narrow asheretofore shown,

are inwidth substantially equal toy thelength ofv the respective strands. As used in thel constructions of Figures 5 and ,-6,f-th emembers'` Ill: areA not subjected to abrasion and-are employed merely as retaining elements or anchoring elements for the various groups of strands and desired compacting of the roots isobtained. How-.

ever, in the construction of Figure 7, these members actually serve as Vprotective elements forv the side portions of the yunits or zonesfof strands, andV therefore it is preferable that theybe made of heavy duck or canvas. A

As in the constructions the modification fin Figure 7 is so arranged that the various layers of strands Vare compressed against one another and so that they retain this relationship during the liquid'` extraction and terial rsuch as sponge rubberor cellulose spongeto the rigid backing member IIL-f' However, when constructedin Vaccordance with my invention,

that is, with the member 20 glued-or sewed thereto, it is found that a strong central attachment assembly is provided whereby the nails l22 securedly retain the member I8 upon the backing ber I8 there is provideda fabric strand construction similar to that disclosed in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Preferably, however, the strands I 3bareof such a length thatthey overhang the member I8. With this construction, it is found 'that the central member has high liquid absorbing qualities'while the fabric strands I3a, and I3b provide the desired cleansing qualities. Furthermore, the member I8 which Vis highly subject to-deterioration by abrasion is substantially protected by the overhangingstrands |317 which are disposed adjacent thereto It will be understood, of course, that the waterv extraction procedure is performed vas explained in connection with Figures 5, 6 and 7 and that furthermoreithe various layers of liquid absorbingV and cleaning material will be successively pressed against one another progressively toward the-outer zones so that efficient extraction of the liquid takes place.

From the foregoing it will beseen that there has been provided herein a swab construction which utilizes a rigid backing' memberanda plurality of cleaning members disposed to occu. py definite, `predetermined zones, theY latter members including strands whichare provided with attachment meansl so arranged thatthe direction in which the strands extend is controlled and predeterminable whereby they are prevented from becoming enmeshed with one another to reduce the e'icientlyof the mop. Furthermore, the disposal of the various-zones of strands, orgin the case of Figure, zones of'strands and-sponge material, is such that the variousgroupsoccupying the differentzonesl are compressed one 'against ,the other progressively towardithe outrofyFigures 5 and 6,

the invention shown side during the liquid extraction operation whereby each of the strands is effectively subjected to liquid extraction by squeezing and thus the liquid extraction operation is completed with eiilciency. It will also be noted that the disposal of the inner units and strands is such that they may be of considerable length without extending beyond the ends of the strands l3a during the extraction and cleansing operations, and yet they are prevented from becoming balled and thus rendering the cleaning and liquid extraction operations less efficient. There is also provided a swab construction in which the strands l are so arranged that they are disposed to form a bumper along the edges of the rigid backing member, thereby to prevent the latter from injuring woodwork and further serving as an aid tothe cleaning of close quarters such as corners or the like.

There is also provided a swab construction in which is incorporated a novel and economical attachment arrangement which effectively holds the strands in secure attachment to the rigid backing member.

As previously mentioned, the cleaning operation asperformed by a swab of the construction shown herein is much more convenient and much more under the control of the user than is the case with the conventional mop having extremely long strands. With the present construction the strands extend merely over the attachment surface of the rigid backing member and are tightly compacted thereon, whereby the user is in complete control, at all times, of the action of the various strands merely by moving the rigid backing member the desired distances and in the desired directions, Thus a more precise cleaning operation may be performed with the present of Figure 8, the strip of `cellulose sponge or the like, are tightly compacted at intermediate portions by means of the retaining strips I4, or the i like. This compacting of the strands at their substantial central portions provides a relatively solid, strong attachment portion for receiving the various nails or the like which are required in the attachment assembly. Furthermore, the central compacted zones are relatively stiffer than the pliant outer ends of the strands, and, since they are formed into substantial U-shape and pressed close to one another at the roots of the strands, it has been found that the control of the predetermined position of the youter ends of the strands is greatly enhanced. It is my belief that this root construction for the strands contributes considerably to the orderly fashion in which the outer ends of the strands are disposed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cleaning device for use with liquid cleaning agents, a backing member having an attachment and pressing surface for receiving a liquid absorptive cleaning assembly, said assembly including a plurality of elongated units of pliant fabric strands, some of winch are shorter than the width of said attachment surface and some of which are longer than the first named strands, means for securing said units of strands longitudinally of said surface in compacted relationship at the secured portion thereof, said shorter strands being disposed in surface engagement with the longitudinal edge margins of said surface and the longer strands being disposed longitudinally of the surface and progressively toward the transverse center thereof so that the `longest strands extend outwardly from substantially said longitudinal center of said surface and are maintained substantially within the connes of the attachment and pressing surfaceby said shorter strands.

2. In a cleaning device for use with liquid cleaning agents, a backing member having an attachment surface, a liquid absorptive cleaning assembly including a plurality of elongated units of pliant liquid absorptive cleaning material dis-V,

posed longitudinally cn said surface, certain of said units being disposed in surface engagement with the longitudinal marginal edge portions of said surface, and others of said units having the roots thereof secured to said surface with the outer ends thereof extending outwardly of said surface, and sheets of pliant material having a width substantiallyvequal to the width of said units from the roots to the outer ends thereof disposed longitudinally of said surface with the inner edges thereof secured to said surface, said sheets being disposed between adjacent units.

JOHN CHARLES TRINDL. 

